Fansided

Big Ten basketball bubble watch: Who is in and who is out?

By Rees Woodcock

Nov 23, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; General view of the Big Ten logo at the Bryce Jordan Center prior to the game between the Colgate Raiders and the Penn State Nittany Lions. Penn State defeated Colgate 72-59. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 23, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; General view of the Big Ten logo at the Bryce Jordan Center prior to the game between the Colgate Raiders and the Penn State Nittany Lions. Penn State defeated Colgate 72-59. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 4
Next
Big Ten
Nov 23, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; General view of the Big Ten logo at the Bryce Jordan Center prior to the game between the Colgate Raiders and the Penn State Nittany Lions. Penn State defeated Colgate 72-59. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /

The Big Ten Conference is an eclectic mix of programs this season.  They don’t have anyone ranked in the top 10, but they have teams that could make deep runs in the NCAA Tournament.

Usually, the Big Ten has six or seven teams that are guaranteed to go dancing every year.  These are programs that no one wants to face because they are so talented and gritty.  This season is a different story.  There are only about three that I think are going to be in no matter what happens the rest of the way out.

While only about three that I think are in for sure, I still think there are a handful that has a chance to get in if they just do a few things the rest of the season.  These teams are on the bubble in my mind, but they can get off with some wins down the stretch. The Big Ten also has some teams, like every year, that haven’t been in the postseason mix for quite some time.  These are the perennial losers who are just there for the bigger programs to beat up on.

The usual’s are down there at the bottom, but this year a few surprising teams are joining them.  Here are the teams in the Big Ten who are going dancing, sweating the bubble, and aren’t even close to the NCAA Tournament as of right now.